Effects of niacin and omega-3 fatty acids on HDL-apolipoprotein A-I exchange in subjects with metabolic syndrome

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #fatty-acids-omega-3 #niacin #apolipoprotein-a-i #metabolic-syndrome

Effects of niacin and omega-3 fatty acids on HDL-apolipoprotein A-I exchange in subjects with metabolic syndrome

Borja et al., 2024 | PLoS One | Rct

Citation

Borja Mark S, Hammerson Bradley, ... Shearer Gregory C. Effects of niacin and omega-3 fatty acids on HDL-apolipoprotein A-I exchange in subjects with metabolic syndrome. PLoS One. 2024;19(2):e0296052. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0296052

Abstract

HDL-apolipoprotein A-I exchange (HAE) measures a functional property associated with HDL's ability to mediate reverse cholesterol transport. HAE has been used to examine HDL function in case-control studies but not in studies of therapeutics that alter HDL particle composition. This study investigates whether niacin and omega-3 fatty acids induce measurable changes in HAE using a cohort of fifty-six subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS) who were previously recruited to a double-blind trial where they were randomized to 16 weeks of treatment with dual placebo, extended-release niacin (ERN, 2g/day), prescription omega-3 ethyl esters (P-OM3, 4g/day), or the combination. HAE was assessed at the beginning and end of the study. Compared to placebo, ERN and P-OM3 alone significantly increased HAE by 15.1% [8.2, 22.0] (P<0.0001) and 11.1% [4.5, 17.7] (P<0.0005), respectively, while in combination they increased HAE by 10.0% [2.5, 15.8] (P = 0.005). When HAE was evaluated per unit mass of apoA-I ERN increased apoA-I specific exchange activity by 20% (2, 41 CI, P = 0.02) and P-OM3 by 28% (9.6, 48 CI, P<0.0006). However the combination had no statistically significant effect, 10% (-9, 31 CI, P = 0.39). With regard to P-OM3 therapy in particular, the HAE assay detected an increase in this property in the absence of a concomitant rise in HDL-C and apoA-I levels, suggesting that the assay can detect functional changes in HDL that occur in the absence of traditional biomarkers.

Key Findings

With regard to P-OM3 therapy in particular, the HAE assay detected an increase in this property in the absence of a concomitant rise in HDL-C and apoA-I levels, suggesting that the assay can detect functional changes in HDL that occur in the absence of traditional biomarkers.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population metabolic syndrome
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Niacin
  • Apolipoprotein A-I
  • Metabolic Syndrome
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Double-Blind Method

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal Article
  • Vertical: niacin-cholesterol

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09